January 2006

Hi, my name is Sherri. I am the Vice-President of McPride. I am also straight, married and a grandmother. During the last few years I have become a part of the GLBT community in Oklahoma with the help of GLBT friends and family. I am using this column to introduce you to other people that are part of that GLBT community.



This month's interview is with Jason Heath-Fitzgerald, Webmaster & Archivist for McPride.




Your name: Jason Heath-Fitzgerald

Age: 32

Birthday: November 20, 1973

Gender: Male

Sexual preference: Gay

Significant other: Matthew Heath-Fitzgerald

Any children: No

Hometown: Krebs - however, both sides of my family came from Barnsdall and I spent a lot of my childhood there. Whenever I go back, it always seems like home to me.

What was your childhood like: Better than most. Thanks to my parents, who have always been great.

Hobbies : Web design, photography, alcoholism. (My mother won't like that response)

Career : You name it, I do it... Antiques, Web Design, Roseannas...

Favorite town : Oklahoma City - love Vegas & New Orleans also!

Favorite drink : Jack Daniels

Favorite food : I love food.... this is crazy, but I have a weakness for lettuce.

Favorite holiday : Samhain

Favorite song : Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston (I can still remember the first time I heard that song!)

Favorite performer : Tina Turner, Kay Starr, Stevie Nicks, Ginger Lamar ( and my husband, Oklahoma's Cowboy Crooner )

Favorite drag queen : Ginger Lamar (but Ginger's so much more than a 'drag queen' )

Favorite person : Just one???.... I would like to mention my mother's mother (Devonne )... I always wanted to be like her when I grew up. She's a very strong person and it made me want to be a strong person also. She always taught me to not let anyone push me around... and I don't. I hope she realizes that I learned that from her.

What person do you admire the most : Well, wow- that's hard to answer. But there is a couple I know in Oklahoma City that I like to pattern my own life after. They are friends of mine, but what they probably don't realize is I've learned more from them than a person could ever imagine... Greg Green and Joseph Lamar Asher are two people to admire, and I do.

Tattoos or piercings : None, Matthew has a tattoo- that's probably close as I'm gonna get to having one.

Are you a member of McPride ? Hell, Yeah.

How did you find out about McPride? Guess I've been there since the beginning.

What is your philosophy about life : Live your life & leave everyone else the f*ck alone.

Fondest memory : Meeting my husband for the second time... we had met once, not talked for several months, then bumped into each other at the Habanna Inn whilst partying one weekend. He was with his crew & I was with mine.. always reminds me of "Grease".... (you know- Sandy ends up at the same school as Danny...)

Biggest regret : I suppose I do regret a couple of things... but I'm not really one to talk about that.

Have you ever had your fortune told ? Yes, It's not something that I fall for easy- however, when I was younger, there was a little old lady that lived in Muskogee- she was amazing. She never asked my name, I'd call and set up a time to go by her house. She'd sit on the couch with her dogs & read my cards... and talked the whole time. You really had to pay attention, because at the strangest moments she'd just start telling you about your life, then suggest how you should handle certain situations. It really was remarkable. I'm sure she's gone now, but I'll never forget her... I never knew her name, she never knew mine...

What most people don't know about you : I'm an asshole, I just pretend not to be.

What would you like to tell the McAlester and the surrounding area ? I've hated living in this area, I've loved living in this area. I've hated the folks in this area, I've loved the folks in this area. Since the organization of McPride, I've realized McAlester can be a lot more accepting than I had ever imagined. I guess what I'd like to say to those folks in McAlester that have shown their support for McPride is 'thank you for giving me hope'. To those folks who have said nothing I'd like to say 'thank you for minding your own damn business'. To those who've shown opposition to McPride I'd like to say 'Grow up and get a life- stop worrying about fags & clean up your own back yard', and believe me there are a lot of back yards in McAlester that need a good cleanin' up. One thing I'd like to say is- before McPride I always planned on moving away from McAlester. Now, I see so much good in this area. So many friendly people. Good people. I think I wanna stay.

Sherri: What is Samhain?
Jason: Samhain is a pagan holiday that is on October 31st. It marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter. In the past Samhain was a celebration of the time between the old year and the new year. It's a day to communicate with and remember the dead. It is also a celebration of the eternal cycle of reincarnation. The festival of Samhain has been celebrated by Pagans for many years and is thought to be the origins of Halloween and many of the Halloween traditions.

Sherri: Do you celebrate Samhain?
Jason: Yes, I have for several years. It's a very interesting holiday and I'd encourage anyone (Pagan or not) to do more research on it. Another October 31st holiday that folks might find interesting is Mexico's "Day of the Dead". That holiday is very interesting and fun to research, and it's not as morbid as it sounds.

Sherri: How long have you and Matthew been together?
Jason: Matthew & I have been together for six years. We where married on March 12th 2001, so this coming March will be our fifth wedding anniversary- I'm really excited about celebrating five years of marriage. He better be excited too.

Sherri: You spend a lot of time in Oklahoma City, what is the biggest difference, to you, between OKC and McAlester?
Jason: Matthew and I do spend a lot of time there and we really feel like it's our second home. We absolutely adore Oklahoma City and sometimes wonder why we've never moved there. I'm going to say something that may sound tacky, but I do not mean in a bad way at all - The gay community in Oklahoma City is very large & strong, something for them to be proud of. Sometimes, though, I get the feeling that Oklahoma City tolerates them more because of how strong the GLBT community is, instead of realizing the right thing to do is be tolerant. Here in McAlester, our GLBTA community has just recently been organizing. McAlester has been truly tolerant with us. We've found many allies here and I believe that the tolerance McAlester has shown us is not because they feel they have to, but because they know in their hearts it is the right thing to do.

Sherri: What position do you hold in McPride?
Jason: I'm McPride's Archivist and Webmaster.

Sherri: What do you like the most about McPride?
Jason: You know, I'm glad you asked me that question. What I like most about McPride is the diversity of people. I LOVE THAT ! And it's not always something you get in an organization. In McPride you have 'gays' and 'straights' working side by side trying to make a difference in their community. It's wonderful seeing so many different kinds of people working together to make a community a better place to live.

Sherri: What would you like to see McPride accomplish?
Jason: Well, McPride is South East Oklahoma's first and only GLBTA organization, which means it really has to cover a broad spectrum of people. As you know, in larger areas there are many GLBT organizations, which gives folks a lot to choose from. If someone is interested in Pride events they would join a Pride group, if someone is interested in Politics they would join a political group, and so on. Here in this area, we don't have those choices, so anyone interested in being apart of a GLBT organization joins McPride, which is great, but probably can't fulfill every persons needs or wants. So, to answer your question, I'd really like to see McPride help other organizations move into the area. Mores specific organizations, like a Pride group and PFLAG group. Groups that McPride can work side by side with.

Sherri: What would you like to change about the McAlester/Krebs area?
Jason: More tolerance. We have a lot, but can always handle some more! And, I'd love to see a Target move in also.

Sherri: My column is about people in the gay community. I have been introducing you to McPride's officers one by one. Jason often works behind the scenes and I don't think most people take the time to get to know him. I believe his work with McPride will make a big difference in the McAlester/Krebs area.

There are people in both communities, glbt and straight, that think I should not be involved in McPride. I have been involved from the very beginning and I plan on staying to the end. I can make a difference.

Without McPride, I may not have ever met Jason and Matthew. I would not have met a lot of the members. I have made some really good friends through McPride and I feel that we are making a difference in our community. It will take a long time before GLBT people will be totally accepted in this area. It will be a long and frustrating time, but by taking baby steps we will get there. I can see a difference in the way we are being accepted. I may be straight but I am a part of your community and I face prejudice and ridicule also. Most people do not understand why I am involved and it is hard to explain why. Mostly it is because I do not like that my friends do not have the same freedom and rights my husband and I have. By being straight, sometimes it is easier for me to connect the two communities.